Plenty of seating, not overstaffed. Be ready to be on beach time, relax. If you're in a hurry, this is not the spot for you. If it's morning, stop by Seaside Donuts or Newport Coffee for a cup a Joe to go, you can caffeinate while waiting for a table. If it's mid-day or evening, have one person stand in line while everyone else takes a stroll on the pier. All staff is VERY friendly and accommodating once you've been seated. Just be patient. Everything I've had has been good. Agree with their sign, quite possibly the world's best chili cheese omelette, great steak and eggs. The BEST homemade clam chowder in Southern California. Fries are great, when they are fresh. Recommend the fish n chips. Remember price wise, this is not a small diner in the Inland Empire or Los Angeles. You are seated on prime real estate, in the most expensive city in the state. You're paying rent for a short period of time. Go in with the right attitude and realistic expectations and you won't be disappointed. If a beer on the boardwalk is a must, adult beverages are available. On Sundays, the Newport Pier farmers market is adjacent, so you may have to plan ahead for parking. read more

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Charlie's Chili somehow figured out how to turn "plenty of open tables" into a waiting-room experience. There were barely any people there, maybe two parties waiting, and enough empty tables to host a small family reunion. Yet somehow everyone just stood around waiting to be seated like we were trying to get into a nightclub with a celebrity guest list. Meanwhile, the staff seemed completely unbothered by the revolutionary concept of actually acknowledging customers. Then came the food. Or, more accurately, the archaeological expedition required to eventually discover my food. It took an eternity. I'm pretty sure I aged several years between ordering and eating. At one point I considered updating my emergency contacts. The beach view? Beautiful. The weather? Fantastic. Unfortunately, Mother Nature apparently doesn't work for Charlie's Chili, because she was the only one providing five-star service that day. What really killed the experience was the complete lack of urgency. Nobody seemed particularly concerned that people were waiting to sit, waiting to order, or waiting for food. Open tables everywhere, customers standing around, and a staff operating at the speed of a Windows update stuck at 97%. I'm leaving politics out of the rating because I can't know anyone's beliefs from how they look. The service managed to earn this review entirely on its own. If you come here, bring sunscreen, enjoy the ocean view, and possibly pack provisions for the wait. At least the Pacific Ocean knows how to keep things moving. read more

Truthfully, we haven't been somewhere this bad in a long time. The location is great, and seemed clean, but the food... wow, it was terrible. To be called Charlie's Chili and have their chili taste like paper, is embarrassing. I've honestly had MUCH better chili from a can. My children ordered a grilled cheese, and the other ordered a kid's pancake with egg. The grill cheese was about a 3 out 10. My other child wouldn't eat her eggs because of how bland it was. And the $4 side of fries? We've had more fries, that tasted better, from ANY big market fast food chain you can think of. Oh, and a $3 side of avocado? It was about equal to 1/4 of an avocado. My wife order a BLT, with the $3 avocado, and she said it was probably the worst BLT she's ever had (super bland). Again, the location is great, but don't expect anywhere near good food. The waitress was polite and attentive, but she couldn't make up for the extremely subpar food. read more

Visited this place a week ago, and the reason I'm posting here is that I emailed them directly with my experience hoping to get some interaction. Since it shows they don't care just like they don't care how they handle their food. We heard good things about this place being a staple in Newport so we gave it a shot. We got 2 pints of chili, to be fair I thought the chili was solid. But the reason for the low rating is that we all got food poisoning that night. Another reason it pointed to them being the culprit is during our dining experience I heard from the other table asking them to heat their chili more and they literally was just served the bowl. This means that they are not handling the pot properly throughout the day and I fear possibly even using left overs from previous days. I caution anyone visiting this place. read more

The portions are somewhat small for the price, but the food was good. I ordered the Mahi Caesar Salad, and my husband had the chili cheese fries topped with onions and sour cream. read more

Charlie's Chili - Chili Cheese Fries w/ onions and sour cream - American Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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I haven't been here in more than five years, but found even though the interior is updated, it's still the same place; friendly service, great food, and a good hang. I split the chicken fried steak breakfast and loved the biscuit and gravy that came with it, especially. My brother had the ribeye and eggs and it was a very decent sized ribeye steak that came with it. Not particularly thick but still nice size piece of meat that he said was very delicious. Amanda kept our coffee cups full and was very sweet and efficient. read more

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It's a weekly stop for us. The chili cheese omelette is the BEST, generous serving with their famous chili. The chili has more meat than beans, the flavor is very good. It definitely a surfer like atmosphere, it's at the base of Newport Pier. If you are looking for reasonably priced food with generous serving size AND an ocean view, it doesn't get any better than Charlie's Chili. read more

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A leisurely walk from the sand of the beach to this little restaurant. The clam chowder was great! Chili, which they're known for, was underwhelming. Yet, we loved the bread bowls. BLT was crisp & our little one enjoyed the kids meal without complaint. Service was good as they accommodated our large group (6 adults + 5 kids) in the small space. read more

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We had to try the "world's famous" chili and it was amazing! We were blown away! And our server was Amanda and she was fantastic! read more

Charlie's Chili - Wonder "world's famous" chili!! - American Near Me - Newport Beach, California

7-12-2026 2pm Waitresses Ament inattentive the lack of service was awful The only helpful people here are the host and bustboy read more

Shaded with lots of seating. Service average but not bad. Clean restrooms. The big burrito (shredded beef) and triple decker club was delicious. The chips and salsa... chips were not crispy enough... a bit chewy salsa had a good kick just not enough for the amount of chips... calamari, don't even waste your time.... not enough for the $20 price ND over fried. Overall it Served its purpose and filled our bellies. read more

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Newport Beach vibes all day long..This pier has so much to offer! Stopped by Charley's Chili, right off the pier and Nikki was such a treat, patient and kind. I ordered fresh cod taco and top with salsa. Yummy PERFECT day and space to enjoy the coast vibes. read more

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Trying to not be a downer here. Some mornings this place was booming! Outdoor seating was packed. Not sure I understand why. The food was mayyyyyyybe average. Pancakes were rubbery and bacon wasn't crispy like I asked for. The prices we felt were very high for what we received. The view was amazing as long as you sit outside. The service was lacking in the sense of refills didn't come and when we asked for another napkin or coffee refill we got an earful from the waitress about how awful her week has been and how understaffed they are and how much she has been working. Even with the amazing location we will skip this in future visits and leave it to those that fill it up on the weekends. read more

Charlie's Chili - Meh. - American Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Awkward start to the new ownership. There are old staff that bailed out to work elsewhere which leaves a hole here that is quite noticeable. Food is always ok here and that hasn't changed. 20 min to get coffee. There really isn't a pace here that is being regulated. It's always wild to see new owners and then suddenly the old time workers moving on. I'm a local here for more years than I'd like to say. Change is sometimes good and sometimes It just ends up being just another meal at some ambiguous restaurant. I'm hoping this improves...and that the changes end up fitting in around here. read more

Absolutely unacceptable. We ordered six meals to go, and two of them were missing when we got home. The most frustrating part is that the employee specifically told us she had checked the order twice before handing it to us. Clearly, she didn't. We ended up paying for food we never received, and by the time we discovered the mistake it was too late. This level of carelessness completely ruined our dinner and made for a very disappointing experience. We'll definitely think twice before ordering from here again. Also, their phone is useless. No one ever answers. read more

New owner isn't that good at runNing restaurant. 2 staff members bouncing around doing small stuff, while 1 waitress is trying to serve 20 tables. Almost 15 minutes just to take our order! Been going there for over 30 years and not just being nostalgic, but really miss the old staff. I'm probably not coming back as often as I used to. Hope it improves by next time. Just as we were leaving, the owner was interviewing someone for waitress, good sign! read more

We come here from time to time when we come down and visit friends that live at the beach and it has always been a pleasant experience! The staff is absolutely amazing they always have smiles on their faces and go above and beyond to give great service! The food is good and you can't beat the fact you're right on the beach I have only ever been for breakfast and only ever ordered breakfast but every time I've eaten here it's been tasty. read more

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My wife and I had a great experience today! Friendly staff. Had not been there in a while but food exceeded our expectations. We ordered turkey sandwich and grilled chicken sandwich along with a small bowl of chili. All was good and tasted fresh. Bill was not cheap but was what I expected right at the beach in Newport. Overall A+ read more

Charlie's Chili - From our table inside. Great people watching outside. - American Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Came here on a Monday morning with my parents and had a fantastic time! I thought this place would be a typical tourist trap next to the beach, but the prices and quality of the food were comparable, dare I say better, to other brunch areas I've been to in the OC. We sat inside this time to avoid the cold, but I bet sitting outside and seeing the ocean while eating would be even nicer. I ordered a steak and eggs while my parents ordered their Popeyes omelet and the eggs Benedict florentine. The steak and eggs and Popeyes omelet came with sourdough toast, which came out nicely toasted and buttered with a selection of jams to spread. The food came out pretty quickly, and I was really surprised by the size, flavor, cook on the steak (perfectly medium rare, a bit bloodier which I love). The hashbrowns were also thinly sliced in a way I haven't seen before, and the texture was just amazing. My parents reportedly enjoyed their dishes as well, especially the amount that was given (they both only ate half). Molly and the other waitstaff were very welcoming and fantastic in keeping my parents' coffees and our waters topped up, and we had a very pleasant time here. Would highly recommend as a casual and sweet little brunch place! read more

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The staff was wonderful the food was great and the micheladas were nice and cold. We had the vegetarian chili, the california chicken sandwich, and the cornbread, all were great Thank you Alisha for the wonderful service and for being so kind to our sweet boy Pongo! read more

Charlie's Chili - Pongo thoroughly enjoyed his puppy patty here at Charlie's Chili! - American Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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Amanda's the best stop by for a chili cheese omelette and say hi to Amanda and Nikki for one great breakfast right next to the pier in Newport Beach read more

Charlie's Chili - Amanda the best. Stop by on Sundays - American Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Great service, tons of options, breakfast is amazing and yummy! Great view and prices read more

Charlie's Chili - View - American Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Do not eat there! Frozen chilie brought in frozen... sits on the ground in the hallway way to thaw... no hand washing sinks, extra unsanitary! New owner never even owned a restaurant before, does not give breaks... breaks so many la read more

New owners all new staff no onsite mgr this place has gone to hell No kids menu service is so slow No coffee service no bussers to help waitresses New owners are out of state have no idea what's going on Why did u try to fix things that weren't broken ! read more

If there's 1 thing you should know about this place, a side of ranch is $4. Extremely disappointing. I used to come here regularly and the "revamp" has ruined the place. A basic cheeseburger and fries is $22. We waited 50 minutes for our food, and 20 minutes to be seated. The staff was not attentive whatsoever and the food is very average. It has lost its charm and appeal. It's a tourist trap now, go elsewhere!!! read more

Service was fab! Chili and corn bread hit the spot! It's too bad they don't come to our home town :(.

Small diner type with patio seating. I went there for breakfast and everything was great. Wood repeat when in Newport Beach.

I've been coming here for years. Great food, cool local vibe and great service. Nikki is my favorite.

Chili was delicious and service was great. Great place to bring your dog and people watch

Servers are nice but disorganized. Been going here every other week with a group of friends but we all decided its time to go elsewhere. The recent price increases have put them in a price range that it's just not worth it. The small breakfast burrito price increase is now $19.00 with hardly any meat is now a rip off. Side of a few fries $9.00 a side of chips very small portion $6.00. 1/2 order of biscuits and gravy $15.00 Cash only has just been required. Adios for good you are not worth the price anymore. I'm guessing new owners ? read more

Ocean breeze, fluffy eggs & French toast dreams Breakfast at Charlie's Chili hit the spot! We sat outside with a view of the ocean and a light breeze that made my coffee taste 20% better (scientifically unproven, but spiritually true). The scrambled eggs were fluffy and well-seasoned, sausage patties juicy and not too greasy. But the real MVP? The French toast -- crispy edges, soft center, and just enough powdered sugar to make you feel like it's a cheat day, even if it's not. Ocean breeze, fluffy eggs & French toast dreams We also got oatmeal with fresh fruit and all the toppings on the side -- which felt like a breakfast DIY kit and tasted great. Service was quick, friendly, and we never felt rushed. Perfect spot for a chill morning near the pier -- I'd come back just for the vibe (and maybe double French toast next time). read more

Charlie's Chili - French toast - American Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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Fantastic spot!!! Food is so good and the service was great. Mark was so positive and smiling all the time. Such a pleasure to feel welcome and appreciated. Don't miss this place by the pier. read more

Charlie's chili was such an amazing spot for my husbands fathers birthday ! A great restaurant with a views of Newport Beach. The food was amazing and hot and fresh. I believe it's under new management with was top notch ! The manager got candles for the cake and got us a great booth with the ocean in front ! Will def be hitting up Charlie's more often ! There chili and burgers and fries were great read more

Love going to Charlie's! great food and my favorite server Amanda takes care of us. 10/10

Parking - We walked to this restaurant, but passed a parking lot that looked like it required payment since it's right on the beach. Food - Since they advertise the best chili omelette, I had to try it. It was good, but I don't know that I'd order it again. I like a more hearty chili and I didn't get that. Maybe they needed to put more chili inside? The serving of breakfast potatoes was on the small side, so I hope they increase the portions. Service - It was a seat yourself situation and we chose to sit outside. Service was quick, but we had some challenges getting refills on water. Ambiance - Be aware that if you sit outside, there will probably be lots of birds trying to find food left out. It didn't bother me, but wanted to make others aware. read more

Charlie's Chili - Chili omelette - American Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Solid chili right by the pier. Quick and friendly service They have beer so that is always a good thing

Breakfast was available immediately after order yet was cold. Tasted and smelled like it had been microwaved recently after being left out all night. Not saying it was but tasted like it. It tasted almost as if it were slightly rancid, but extremely stale at the same time On the bright side, the staff was extremely nice! I'm giving two stars instead of 1 because I know / hope they can do better and am rooting for them! read more

The Chili is just average at best but the biggest problem is the service. We were here at about 11:00 am (Pre Lunch rush) and stood waiting where the sign told us to wait for a waitress to recognize us as she walked past us at least 12 times. We had to approach her to place an order. I would suggest that this place is turned into a window service type of restaurant and fire the useless waitress. I have never in my life been treated like this at any restaurant. read more

We've been going to Charlie's every Saturday morning for nearly 7 years. Not sure we'll be going back. It looks nice and spruced up, but the way it's run now with a super lean crew means waiting a long time for everything. A table, a waiter, refills on coffee or tea, food, bill. Seems super inefficient to try to run a restaurant with just waiters, no support staff. No host means no greeting or knowing how long it will take to get to one of the empty, dirty tables. Today they had 1 busser which was seemed like a blessing. But that still meant the condiments weren't on the table, no utensils or napkins. The kid that was there, TJ, was trying his hardest to keep up, but was in the weeds the whole time we were there this morning. We saw at least 2 parties waiting to be seated, but ended up leaving because there wasn't a host. How can a restaurant expect a waiter to do it all? Really, the waiters, Gina and Nikki, always with a smile, but now with no time to chit chat. Looks like the new owners are trying to save a buck, but losing patrons. Too bad. hope the service improves because the other 20 breakfast places nearby are looking good. read more

Well, I can tell you it's not the same. It was when I used to go there a lot went there today. The service was terrible. She didn't give me any silverware. Didn't give me a refill my soda. I had to go get my own chili sauce Garlic bread is a piece of toast that looks so on appealing the garlic was burnt on top, the chili was like asphalt. It had to thick it appearance of it. I think they gave me the worst of the worst. I would not recommend this place. It used to be a great place used to be. Fun. Service was fantastic. The girls there were really friendly. the girl that worked there today, there wasn't a soul in there eating and she couldn't even take care of on a on basis. I left no tip totally unsatisfied. read more

Charlie's Chili - The worst chili I've ever had they sure went downhill. - American Near Me - Newport Beach, California